Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on National Unemployment Surpassing Ten Percent
ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 6, 2009) –Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement that national unemployment has surpassed ten percent:
“Today’s 10.2 percent national unemployment rate is another signal that, while many economic indicators show signs of improvement, we are not nearly out of the woods. Not as a state, and not as a nation.
“I know that Marylanders are frustrated with the pace of this recovery, and I share in that frustration. Last night, I shared with Maryland’s business community our strategy to strengthen small businesses in Maryland. If we’re going to turn the corner from recovery to prosperity, we must continue to recognize that our progress as a State depends on the prosperity of small businesses, businesses that employ more than 1.2 million people in the State of Maryland.
“Maryland is fortunate to have consistently held unemployment well below the national average at 7.2 percent. For all the challenges we’re facing as a country, there are plenty of reasons why we in Maryland are in a better position than our counterparts in other States to transition from recovery to prosperity. We are home to one of America’s most highly skilled workforces, the nation’s top public school system, countless world class institutions and federal facilities, and we remain one of only six states to defend a Triple A bond rating.”
Last night, Governor O’Malley outlined a ten point strategy before the Maryland Chamber of Commerce to strengthen small business in Maryland. The Governor’s full remarks can be found here.
